West Ham go back to the scene of their 1-0 defeat when they play City again at Eastlands on Sunday in the Premier League and Curbishley today admitted: "If we had been more clinical in the final third of the pitch on Wednesday, we would have won.

"There is certainly no need to panic. We won't be buying and it's difficult to get real quality on loan.

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"Craig Bellamy has been training hard for two weeks now and, with no match the weekend after next, could be about ready after that."

Curbishley gave a strong hint as to his priorities when he rested regulars Hayden Mullins and Carlton Cole for the cup tie. They could both be recalled on Sunday.

He said: "We wanted to win the game and we fielded a strong side but I took the opportunity to rest a couple of players and give others, who have been out, a game."